Three Saudi women have been licensed by Jeddah municipality to operate food carts at Juman Souk in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, according to a report in Makkah Arabic daily. The souk's first phase was successful with the participation of 34 government and private agencies and food carts representing different Saudi cities, the paper said, adding that the event drew 8,000 visitors. The souk's second phase will take place on Friday and Saturday. Sisters Mashael, Hanan and Amal, who received the license, said they opted food carts after their failure to find suitable jobs. Mashael has specialized in interior decoration while Hanan in nursing and Amal is a housewife. "If we succeed in operating food carts, we intend to open a private restaurant while continuing the business of meals on wheels," Mashael was cited as saying by the daily. Mohammed Al-Buqami, spokesman of the municipality, disclosed his organization's plan to license 24 new food carts. The project is financed by the Social Development Bank that provides a loan of SR250,000 regardless of the gender of the owner. Street carts have permission to operate Thursday, Friday and Saturday in front of Kanz Ubhor in South Ubhor, according to the official. They are banned from moving around or standing in front of schools, inside neighborhoods, near garbage dumps or on sandy roads. Sellers must be Saudi over the age of 18 with valid health licenses showing they have no transmittable diseases. Eleven-year-old Muneer Al-Panjabi was the youngest salesman in the souk in Rabigh and was accompanied by his brother. Speaking to Makkah daily, he said he was fond of cooking. He was selling waffles. Raghad Idris, 32, took part in the festival at KAEC displaying her ability to make various things using clay. "I have learned this art when I was a Class V student," she said. Now she sells different products made of clay. Naela Al-Shafie, who has studied sociology, is a sculpture artist. "I am now working as a designer of ornaments," she said, adding that she uses snails, precious stones and copper wires to make her works attractive.
